The Tors Inn in the small village of Belstone has to epitomise everything that you would want from a Dartmoor pub. It’s friendly, cosy, and has a well-stocked bar full of locally brewed beers, local and not-so-local wines, ciders and everything in between. Recently voted by Food & Drink Devon as the best Devon pub and you can see why.
Owners Dicky and Erin Harrison have worked in the hospitality industry for two decades starting off at The Angel Bar in Queen Street Exeter with Dicky as the landlord before crossing the street to open Ruby – Modern Diner. They jumped ship and sold to Five Guys just as the Guildhall Dining Quarter opened up so they could set up Ruby Diner at The Grapevine Brewhouse in Exmouth. From the seaside they headed inland and found themselves at The Tors Inn.
The Tors Inn set 1000ft above sea level is lucky to be nestled right in the Dartmoor National Park. They regularly have wild Dartmoor ponies, cattle and sheep wandering past the windows treating the village as their own and rightly so.
The pub is open throughout the year and has 3 letting rooms for Bed & Breakfast. It has an outdoor kitchen called “The Shed” that serves smoked meats, burgers, local ales and ciders to numerous picnic tables situated on the Great Green. It’s an iconic beer garden with the most picturesque views out over Cawsand Hill and the River Taw beyond. It’s “pub heaven” according to Dicky in the summer months. My interest has definitely been sparked so I shall be visiting again when it re-opens at Easter time.
Inside, The Tors Inn offers pub classics cooked with the best locally sourced ingredients. Everything is home cooked and made with love. The menu is simple and the portions are hearty. Exactly what you want after a stomp on the moors. On Sundays they serve a traditional roast but make sure you book, it gets very busy.
I ate the most delicious vegetarian pie stuffed full of leeks, Stilton and walnut served with buttery mash and greens. My friend chose from their burger menu with a Smokey Joe. A Ruby Red Devon beef patty , smoked cheddar, caramelised onions, smoked bacon and smokey mayo. The desserts reflect the main dishes so think sticky toffee pudding and crumble. Can’t fit in a wintery pud then have a scoop or two of Taw River Dairy ice cream like I did. Completely delicious and made just down the road in North Tawton.
The Pub is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Sunday evening). As a small village pub there is no on site parking so please use the village car park a mere two minutes walk from The Tors Inn front door.
Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this post. I did receive a complimentary meal however. All views are my own as always and I only post about genuinely good experiences.